Written by Chilli Drops Owner Jane

Jane of Chilli Drops Hot Sauce in London, England is a go-getter. She started Chilli Drops in her spare time in 2013. They are no longer making hot sauces commercially, but her story is inspiring!

How Chilli Drops Started Off

I had my daughter as a single parent in 2010 and in the space of 18 months totally destroyed my business in artist management, due to the fact that I totally underestimated child care and utter sheer exhaustion I'd suffer from. So after thoroughly neglecting both daughter and business, I decided to take a year off, rethink my working life and getting to know my child. Within a year I was totally bored and decided to find something I could make for a £1 and sell for £2. I'd always liked chilli sauces and invariably took my own when I was eating out. So without too much thought (in fact none at all) I decided to make and bottle chilli sauces.

In Feb 2013, I set up Chilli Drops, begged some funding from a bloke in the pub (who I still owe) and had my 1st production batch.  By June I was selling into my first deli and butcher shops. I now have four fabulous flavours, and I sell mainly into the independent pub trade and occasionally on market stalls.

My Most Popular Sauce

Miss Smoky Naga - the first one I created for my love of cheese burgers, she's hot and infused with a liquid smoke. AND has just won 2nd in the World Hot Sauce Awards. She's an international superstar and out sells the rest 2 to 1.

Advice to novice hot sauce makers

Get the freshest chillis you can find by a reputable grower, the flavour is all in the freshness or and how they were when they were dried/pickled. The standard ole Birdseye chilli is ultimately the most versatile, very much over looked but she packs a mean punch and is full of flavour and delicious just chopped up raw on anything or should I say everything!